Batter's Out By Rule or

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

You're going to warn them for making a legal move? You'll lose that one at the protest committee.

Seriously?

Exactly what is there to protest? I inform coach of the rule - that's it. Nothing remotely protestable in this situation.

And if you don't think the situation in the OP is EXACTLY what this rule is meant for - when WOULD you think that rule would apply?

[REFANDUMP]

Call time, brush the plate and then the pitchers mound if necessary. If time hasn't run out, brush the plate again. Problem solved

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

Seriously?

Exactly what is there to protest? I inform coach of the rule - that's it. Nothing remotely protestable in this situation.

And if you don't think the situation in the OP is EXACTLY what this rule is meant for - when WOULD you think that rule would apply?

You refused to allow a pitching change or a sub or some other legal move. Explain that to the committee.

Stalling and stretching were fairly common in MLB before they changed the end of game rules. It still happens when bad weather is approaching and the game isn't official yet. Team gaining the advantage makes some moves. NO ONE CARES because they want to be able to do the same thing.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

You refused to allow a pitching change or a sub or some other legal move. Explain that to the committee.

Stalling and stretching were fairly common in MLB before they changed the end of game rules. It still happens when bad weather is approaching and the game isn't official yet. Team gaining the advantage makes some moves. NO ONE CARES because they want to be able to do the same thing.

You're wrong, Rich. This becomes a judgement issue. If I feel that any action is intended to delay or shorten the game, it becomes illegal. Been to the protest committee on this one and it was denied.

[DG]

Time limit games are rec league rules and good.

Protest committees for time limit games should rule on the intent of the time limit rule, thus intentionally doing something intentional to get an out by rule to prolong the game such as this situation should not be allowed.

Changing pitchers to extend the time in order to get a win is just bush.

Telling the batter to do something illegal to extend the game with one minute left should not be allowed in a time limit game.

[chapmaja]

Originally Posted by DG

Time limit games are rec league rules and good.

Protest committees for time limit games should rule on the intent of the time limit rule, thus intentionally doing something intentional to get an out by rule to prolong the game such as this situation should not be allowed.

Changing pitchers to extend the time in order to get a win is just bush.

Telling the batter to do something illegal to extend the game with one minute left should not be allowed in a time limit game.

But what rule says it is illegal? You could argue unsportsmanlike conduct, but you have to be very careful calling this one, because teams will also do the same thing the other way.

If I was the opposing coach, up 15-2 and knowing the coach was going to do this to play another inning, I would be tempted to do the same thing back the other way just to get that last inning done. There is nothing to prevent the visitors from intentionally taking 3 outs in their half. As the umpire you really don't have any say in the matter.

[DG]

If I was the Visiting coach and had that stunt pulled to extend the game another inning I would do everything I could to encourage my team to keep scoring runs.

[ozzy6900]

Timed games always bring out the "best" in coaches. If I am faced with a time limit, I simply let the teams do their thing. I remind them when they are pulling the bull shit moves that the clock is still running and when time is up, it's up. If the coaches have a problem with tactics, go see the tournament director or league officers, not my problem!

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by Matt

You're wrong, Rich. This becomes a judgement issue. If I feel that any action is intended to delay or shorten the game, it becomes illegal. Been to the protest committee on this one and it was denied.

They were idiots.

And I'm not the only one here suggesting that you let the teams play out the tactics.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

They were idiots.

And I'm not the only one here suggesting that you let the teams play out the tactics.

As soon as I heard a coach do that, I'd probably call time and need to tie my shoe for a few minutes. Or get more baseballs. Or something.

Thankfully very few of my dates have time limits.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

You refused to allow a pitching change or a sub or some other legal move. Explain that to the committee.

I did? When did I do that?

What the offense (I promise, the offense was not trying to do a pitching change)... did is EXACTLY what this rule is intended to prevent.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

I did? When did I do that?

What the offense (I promise, the offense was not trying to do a pitching change)... did is EXACTLY what this rule is intended to prevent.

In post #2 you said:

In practice, you might opt to not see this action, and then remind coach that tactics designed to consume time or extend the game (i.e. monkey with the clock) are immediate grounds for forfeit - no warning.

Changing a pitcher is a legal move. Who are you to decide I can't do it?

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

In post #2 you said:

In practice, you might opt to not see this action, and then remind coach that tactics designed to consume time or extend the game (i.e. monkey with the clock) are immediate grounds for forfeit - no warning.

Changing a pitcher is a legal move. Who are you to decide I can't do it?

Like I said ... if you change the scenario to be something different from the OP, you might get a different result.